Causes of Catamenial Epilepsy
The exact cause of this condition is still unknown. But a study has proven it is related to the hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Examples of such hormonal changes include:
Reduced progesterone
Changes in progesterone [2] are sometimes linked to the C1 pattern of catamenial epilepsy. The C3 pattern is also a result of the lack of enough progesterone secretion during the luteal phase.
Progesterone is a reproductive hormone that increases after a woman experiences ovulation every month. It helps thicken the uterus lining to make the body accommodate fertilized eggs.
Progesterone has a natural anticonvulsant effect. This effect helps produce neurosteroids in the brain, which are in charge of the excitability function of the nerve cells.
However, there is a drop in progesterone before and during your period as well as during the luteal phase.
Increase in estrogen
Changes in estrogen [3] levels have been traced to the C1 and C2 patterns. There tends to be more estrogen than progesterone before menstruation due to the rate at which they both decrease. This is what is thought to cause premenstrual seizures.
Estrogen is a vital reproductive hormone that is present in females. It helps in regulating the menstrual cycle and growth of the uterine lining.
Estrogen has a proconvulsant effect; the mechanism behind this effect is unknown. This proconvulsant effect can prompt seizures when estrogen increases around ovulation, thereby leading to the C2 pattern.